Pitchfork Posts

When ASU head baseball coach Tim Esmay and right-handed pitcher Ryan Burr trade in their Maroon and Gold for the Red, White and Blue this summer, it will mark the 15th year in which at least one Devil has played for our country.

ASU has placed a student-athlete on the USA Collegiate National Team for seven consecutive summers (every year since 2007), which is the longest active streak among all NCAA schools (Oregon State is a distant second at three).

Coach Esmay and Burr will report to the National Training Complex in Cary, N.C., this week to begin working with their Team USA counterparts.

They embark on a pair of Summer Collegiate League Tours June 22-25 and June 27-July 2, before heading off to Japan on July 5. The team spends a week in Japan taking on teams in Matsuyama, Hiroshima, Utsunomiya and Tokyo, before returning to the States for a pair of games in Elgin, Ill., July 15-17. 

The team concludes the summer with five games against Cuba across three states, including Des Moines, Iowa, Omaha Neb., Cary, N.C., and Durham, N.C., from July 18-23.

Click here for a full schedule of this summer’s events. 

Burr is the 20th Devil to be represented on the Collegiate National Team, which is the fourth most among all NCAA schools, and he follows a long list of former Sun Devil baseball standouts.  

Mike Leake (2008) 

(from L-R) Jeff Larish and Dustin Pedroia (2003) 

(from L-R) Petey Paramore and Brett Wallace (2007) 

Congratulations to our five Sun Devil Minor League All-Stars! 

Andrew Aplin - California League All-Star

Austin Barnes - Florida State League South Division All-Star 

Jake Barrett - California League All-Star

Brady Rodgers - California League All-Star  

Kiel Roling - Texas League North Division All-Star 

Here is a breakdown of what all our #SunDevilFamily is doing in professional baseball.

Stats as of June 11, 2013

 Willie Bloomquist- Arizona Diamondbacks - Bloomquist has played in 4 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has 6 runs scored, 1 RBI and 11 hits, including 2 doubles, in 18 at-bats.

Ike Davis- New York Mets - Davis has played in 53 games for the New York Mets, and is hitting .166 with 16 RBI, 15 runs scored and 30 hits, including 3 doubles and 5 home runs, in 181 at-bats.

Andre Ethier- Los Angeles Dodgers - Ethier has played in 56 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and is hitting .230 with 15 RBI, 14 runs scored and 44 hits, including 9 doubles, a triple and 4 home runs.

Jason Kipnis- Cleveland Indians - Kipnis has played in 50 games for the Cleveland Indians, batting .239 with 27 RBI, 29 runs scored and 47 hits, including 11 doubles, 2 triples and 8 home runs. He also has 11 stolen bases.

Mike Leake- Cincinnati Reds - Leake is 5-2 in 11 games, all starts, for the Cincinnati Reds. He has a 2.75 ERA and 50 strikeouts. He has scored 23 runs and has 74 hits, including 6 home runs.

Dustin Pedroia- Boston Red Sox - Pedroia has played in 60 games for the Boston Red Sox. He is hitting .330 with 31 RBI, 40 runs scored and 77 hits, including 17 doubles and 4 home runs.

Andrew Romine- Los Angeles Angels - Romine has played in 16 games for the Los Angeles Angels, and hit .130 with 3 hits and an RBI in 23 at-bats. He has played in 28 games for Triple-A Salt Lake in the Pacific Coast League, hitting .214 with 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and 24 hits, including 2 doubles, 2 triples and 1 home run, as well as 6 stolen bases.

Eric Sogard- Oakland A’s - Sogard has played in 48 games for the Oakland A’s, recording 6 RBI, 18 runs scored and 35 hits, including 7 doubles and a triple. He also played in 37 games for Triple-A Sacramento in the Pacific Coast League, hitting .331 with 22 RBI, 29 runs scored, including 5 home runs. He scored 52 hits, including 5 doubles and 2 triples.

Brett Wallace- Houston Astros - Wallace has appeared in 7 games for the Houston Astros, with a walk and a hit. He has also played in 41 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Pacific Coast League, where he hit .391 with 30 RBI, 25 runs scored and 51 hits, including 11 doubles and 8 home runs.

Minor Leagues

Andrew Aplin- Houston Astros - Aplin has appeared in 56 games for the Lancaster JetHawks for the Class A Advanced California League. He has batted .292 with 46 RBI, 47 runs scored, including 5 home runs.

Austin Barnes- Miami Marlins - Barnes has appeared for 52 games for the Jupiter Hammerheads in the Class-A Advanced Florida State League. He is batting .313 in 192 at-bats with 21 RBI, 26 runs scored and 60 hits, including 3 home runs, 11 doubles and 3 triples.

Jake Barrett- Arizona Diamondbacks - Barrett is 2-0 in 22 games for the Visalia Rawhide in the Class-A Advance California League. He has a 1.23 ERA, 27 strikeouts and 14 saves.

Seth Blair- St. Louis Cardinals - Blair has appeared in 10 games for the Springfield Cardinals in the Double-A Texas League. He has scored 37 runs and 65 hits, including 9 home runs.

Travis Buck- San Diego Padres- Buck played in 35 games for the Tucson Padres in the Triple-A Cost League. He batted in .256 in 125 at-bats. He scored 19 runs and 32 hits, including 11 doubles and 5 home runs.

Kole Calhoun- Los Angeles Angels - Calhoun played 23 games for the Los Angeles Angels with 8 hits, including 4 double, in 46 at-bats.

Xorge Carrillo- New York Mets - Carrillo has played in three games for Class A Savannah in the South Atlantic League. He has one hit and one walk in 10 at-bats.

Kramer Champlin- Toronto Blue Jays - Champlin is 3-1 in 15 games for Class-A Lansing in the Midwest League. He has a 4.45 ERA in 32.1 innings, with no starts, and one save with 38 strikeouts.

Andrew Aplin- Houston Astros - Aplin has appeared in 56 games for Class-A in the Advanced California League. He is hitting .292 in 226 at-bats with 46 RBI, 47 runs scored and 66 hits, including 17 doubles and 5 triples.

Austin Barnes- Miami Marlins - Barnes has played in 52 games for Class-A in the Advanced Florida State League. He is hitting .313 in 192 at-bats with 21 RBI, 26 runs scored and 60 hits, including 11 doubles.

Travis Buck- Houston Astros - Buck has appeared in 35 games for Triple-A in the Pacific Coast League. He is hitting .256 in 125 at-bats with 26 RBI, 19 runs scored and 32 hits, including 11 doubles.

Joey DeMichele- Chicago White Sox - DeMichele has played in 56 games for Class-A in the Advanced Carolina League. He is hitting .236 in 225 at-bats with 26 RBI, 42 runs scored and 53 hits, including 16 doubles.

Jake Elmore- Arizona Diamondbacks - Elmore has played in 51 games for Triple-A in the Pacific Coast Legaue. He is hitting .296 in 196 at-bats with 24 RBI, 32 runs scored and 58 hits, including 11 doubles and 4 triples. 

Tuffy Gosewisch- Philadelphia Phillies - Gosewisch has played in 33 games for Triple-A in the Pacific Coast League. He is hitting .292 in 120 at-bats with 15 RBI, 15 runs scored and 35 hits, including 4 doubles and 6 home runs.

Merrill Kelly- Tampa Bay Rays - Kelly has been 5-5 in 12 games for Double-A in the Southern League. He has a 3.62 ERA in 69.2 innings, with 40 strikeouts in 11 starts. He also has 49 hits and 28 runs.

Mitchell Lambson- Houston Astros - Lambson has played in 16 games for Class-A in the Midwest League, with 22.0 innings pitched and 22 strikeouts. He has 25 hits and 17 runs.

Jeff Larish- Pittsburgh Pirates - Larish has played in 9 games for the Indianapolis Indians in  Triple-A in the International League. His average hitting point is .208 in 24 at-bat, and 5 hits.

Zach MacPhee - Cleveland Indians - MacPhee has played in 35 games for the Carolina Mudcats  in the Class-A in the Advanced Carolina League. He is hitting .221 in 113 at-bats with 12 RBI, 25 hits, including a doubles and 2 home runs.

Beau Maggi – Kansas City Royals – Maggi has yet to play a game for the Burlington Royals in the Rookie Appalachian League in 2013. In 2012, he played in 41 games recording 22 hits and 24 walks.

Drew Maggi – Pittsburgh Pirates – Maggi is playing on the Altoona Curve in Double-A Eastern League. In 2013, he is hitting .247 thru 35 games and 85 plate appearances. Maggi has 8 RBIS, 2 of which came against Richmond on May 26^th.

Deven Marrero – Boston Red Sox – Marrero has been promoted to Class-A Advanced for the Salem Red Sox in the Carolina League. Thru 33 games in 2013, the shortstop has 33 hits, 12 which are doubles, and 16 runs.

Matt Newman – Toronto Blue Jays – The left fielder is currently playing for the Dunedin Blue Jays in the Class-A Advanced Florida State League. Newman is hitting .268 with 2 home runs, 15 RBIS and 42 hits across 43 games.

Jim Patterson – Tampa Bay Rays – Patterson has pitched 1 game in 2013 for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. In his 1 game, he pitched 2.2 innings and struck out 2 batters with an ERA of 0.00.

Carlos Ramirez – Los Angeles Angels – Ramirez is currently assigned to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers in the Texas League. The catcher has played in 2 games, recording 2 hits and a batting average of .286.

Robert Ravago – Miami Marlins – The pitcher is currently on the Class-A Short Season Batavia Muckdogs in the New York-Penn League. In the 2013 season, Ravago has pitched 11 innings in 2 leagues, striking out 11 batters, with an ERA of 5.73.

Brady Rodgers – Houston Astros – The right handed pitcher throws for the Class-A Advanced Lancaster JetHawks. Rodgers is 5-2 in 15 games, 8 of which he started. He has 51 strikeouts and 12 walks in 60.1 innings pitched.

Kiel Roling – Colorado Rockies – The first baseman is hitting .276 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIS for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. Roling has 48 hits and 31 runs across 48 games.

Johnny Ruettiger – Baltimore Orioles – Across 2 leagues so far this season, Ruettiger is hitting .270 with 10 stolen bases, 24 walks and 44 hits in 47 games. He is currently playing on the Class-A Advanced Frederick Keys.

Abe Ruiz – Chicago White Sox – Ruiz has not played a game yet in 2013 for the Great Falls Voyagers in the Rookie Pioneer League. In 2012, the first baseman hit .240 over 27 games with 23 hits, 7 doubles and 11 RBIS in 96 plate appearances.

Tim Smith – Atlanta Braves – Smith has not appeared in a game in 2013 for the Double-A Mississippi Braves in the Southern League. In 2012 for the Mississippi Braves, Smith hit .279 in 55 games with 46 hits, 2 home runs, and 22 RBIS.

Josh Spence – San Diego Padres – The left-handed pitcher currently throws the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRaiders. In 17 games this year as a reliever, Spence is 0-1 with a 2.82 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 22.1 innings pitched.

Jordan Swagerty – St. Louis Cardinals – Swagerty is recovering from Tommy John surgery from 2012. He was rated the Cardinals’ number 10 prospect by Baseball America prior to the 2012 season.

Raoul Torrez – Arizona Diamondbacks – The third baseman is playing on the Class-A Advanced Lancaster JetHawks. For the JetHawks, Torrez has 14 hits and 15 runs over 22 games. He has reached base 4 times from doubles and has 4 walks.

Riccio Torrez – Tampa Bay Rays – Torrez has played 54 games for the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. The third baseman has recorded 41 hits, 14 of which are extra bases, and hit driven in 24 runners. In 183 plate appearances, he has a batting average of .224.

Jeff Urlaub – Oakland A’s – The left-handed reliever has pitched 16 games for the Double-A Midland RockHounds. He is 2-1 with a 2.89 ERA in the 2013 season with 14 strike outs and 3 walks in 18.2 innings pitched

Zach Wilson – New York Yankees – Wilson is playing for the Class-A Advanced Tampa Yankees in the Florida State League. In 4 games, the third baseman has 13 plate appearances with 4 hits, 2 of which are doubles. He is batting .308.

Andy Workman – Los Angeles Angels – In 57 games for the Class-A Advanced Inland Empire 66ers, Workman has had 45 hits in 201-plate appearances with a batting average of .224. He has recorded 18 RBI and 11 doubles.

Zech Zinicola – Baltimore Orioles – Zinicola is pitching for the Double-A Bowie Baysox. In 2013, he is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA, 10 saves and 22 strikeouts. The closer has pitched in 22 innings across 21 games.

Editor’s Note: ASU head women’s basketball head coach Charli Turner Thorne provides the latest updates on the Sun Devil women’s basketball program.

Just wrapped up one of my favorite weeks of the year as our program hosted our annual basketball camps last week. We started the week with a four-day day camp in which kids of all ages participated and concluded yesterday with our three-day team camp in which we had 40 teams from all over the west come out to work on their skills.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the last week, getting to work with such focused and energized groups who were all about wanting to learn. I think any coach at any level will tell you that one of the most fulfilling aspects of their job is getting to teach. That’s one of the biggest reasons why our program looks forward to camp week every year. Unlike clinics where we have a very limited amount of time, the camps allow us to spend even more time with kids and get them excited about the game.

We had a co-ed day camp this year, which was great because at these ages there is not a lot of separation, which I think makes for a more diverse and competitive environment. We had a perfect number of participants in our day camp from the standpoint of it allowed us to get to know all of them on a more personal level.

Speaking as a former camper, I have a real understanding and appreciation for what kind of role camps can play in the development of players. Growing up in the Southern California area, I used to attend coach Billie Moore’s summer camp at UCLA. Looking back, one of the most valuable experiences from those camps was getting the opportunity to play with like 200 other girls who were all really good. Why was that so significant? Because there were not a lot of girls in my neighborhood who played basketball when I was 10/11 years old and so more often than not I was playing against boys.

Skill-wise, the camp was a great wake-up call for me. Back then I was not able to use my weak hand very well and so I was kind of frustrated because I saw all these kids in my age group who could shoot with both hands and I couldn’t yet because I had always been able to get away with my left hand. As a result I worked extra hard every day so I could shoot a right-handed layup. The camp was a great eye-opener and it was fun because so many kids in that camp ended up playing college ball against each other.

Experiences like those aided in the development of the program we use in our Sun Devil women’s basketball summer camps. We place a lot of emphasis on teaching/reinforcing fundamentals like defensive positioning, boxing out, proper footwork and proper shooting form among other things. It’s something that our program takes a lot of pride in passing on to the ‘players of tomorrow.’

Check back soon for more updates!

CTT

Coach Myers had this to say about the people at ASU on his Friday teleconference, and for that we appreciate it…

“These people that I work with (at ASU) on a day-to-day basis mean the world to me,” Myers said. “Leaving them was the toughest thing. (My wife) Katie and I were sitting down to make the decision. They are class people, hard-working people. They are people I respect and I admire. These are people that taught me about life. To say goodbye to them, which I haven’t done yet, is going to be extremely difficult.”

When the Arizona State soccer team takes the field for the 2013 campaign it will be aiming for its fourth NCAA appearance in five seasons, something that would be a first for the program.

The soccer program’s recent run of success has come under the tutelage of Kevin Boyd, who will be entering his seventh season as ASU’s soccer coach. Boyd came to ASU after leading Cal to eight NCAA Tournament appearances in 10 years. His last recruiting class at Cal included a name soccer fans from all walks of life are familiar with – Alex Morgan.

Here at ASU, Boyd has already planted the seeds to establish a winning tradition. In his previous six seasons at ASU, Boyd has led the Sun Devils to as many NCAA appearances (3) as the program had in the 11 seasons prior to his arrival.

Last season Boyd led a relatively young Sun Devil squad to a tie for fourth place in the Pac-12, ASU’s highest finish in league play since the 2004 season. 

Currently with 54 wins as ASU’s head coach, Boyd enters the 2013 season needing seven wins to become Sun Devil Soccer’s all-time leader in career wins.

The latest Learfield Directors’ Cup standings are out, and the Sun Devils moved into the top 20 at No. 19 and taking a peek at the baseball postseason teams and the points of the teams around them, will probably stay in that spot. Final standings will be out once the College World Series is over.

Among Pac-12 schools, ASU sits sixth behind Stanford (first), UCLA (fourth), USC (13th), Oregon (15th) and California (17th). ASU has 802.08 points and Jeff Metcalfe of the Arizona Republic breaks down the baseball scoring here.

So look for ASU’s best finish since 2008-09. In the previous 10-year span (2002-03 to 2011-12), ASU’s average finish is 15.6.

ARIZONA STATE IN THE FINAL LEARFIELD DIRECTORS’ CUP STANDINGS
2011-12 - 30th
2010-11 - 27th
2009-10 - 22nd
2008-09 - 12th
2007-08 - 4th
2006-07 - 10th
2005-06 - 13th
2004-05 - 11th
2003-04 - 17th
2002-03 - 10th
2001-02 - 15th
2000-01 - 9th
1999-00 - 11th
1998-99 - 12th
1997-98 - 12th
1996-97 - 13th
1995-96 - 21st
1994-95 - 12th
1993-94 - 10th 

Congratulations to Tim Mickelson and Joe Prince from Men’s Golf and Melissa Luellen and Missy Farr-Kaye, who brought home top-five finishes at this year’s NCAA Golf Championships. Beyond that, they have been exemplary Sun Devil team members with regard to Karsten Golf Course. Everyone associated with this situation has been extremely professional, such as the Karsten Golf Course staff, led by Daryl Crawford and Joey Jones. We appreciate what Tim, Melissa and their staffs did this year, and the folks at Grayhawk had this sign to say the same. 

We announced earlier this week that Notre Dame will play in Tempe Nov. 8, 2014. Thank you for your support and patience as we worked through the scheduling issue. If you plan to join us in Dallas Oct. 5, 2013 click here to request your tickets before this Saturday, June 15. 

OTHER TIDBITS:
At the beginning of the year, our baseball team was picked sixth in the Pac-12. Only four Pac-12 teams made the NCAA Tournament and most of our team is expected back. I look forward to the final season at Packard Stadium being one to remember. Let’s not forget what Coach Esmay and his staff have had to overcome. 

In case you hadn’t heard, the NCAA recognized Casa Grande native Bailey Wigness as being the best of the best. Of all the student-athletes at the 2013 Softball Championships, she had the highest cumulative grade point average. Click here to read more.

You sign a $2 million bonus in 2012 but don’t have your degree as you begin your professional baseball career. So do you just wait until your playing days are over to finish that degree? Not if you are Sun Devil Deven Marrero.

We have a great relationship with the Cronkite School, and congratulations to them on some outstanding awards recently. Cronkite faculty staffers like Mark Lodato, Mike Wong, and Jason Manning do an amazing job. 

TO DO:

June 15, 2013

Men’s Basketball Season Tickets Early Bird Pricing Deadline.

Buy Now»

Football season ticket holder deadline to request tickets for the Notre Dame game in Dallas, TX Oct. 5, 2013. 

Request Tickets»

Softball Season Ticket Renewal Deadline. Call 480-965-5333 to renew. 

June 21-22

6th Annual White Mountain Alumni Chapter Steak Fry and Heritage Night Cocktail Party

Register Today»

June 22

Baseball Season Ticket Renewal Deadline. Call 480-965-5333 to renew. 

News You Can Use:

Football Away Game tickets are now available for season ticket holders to purchase. Call your customer service representative at 480-965-5333 to purchase. Away game tickets will go on sale to non-season ticket holders August 15. 

Just how impressive was Tim Mickelson’s second season at Arizona State?

Consider the following from from our friends at Golfstat…

This past season, with three freshmen in the lineup in most tournaments, the Sun Devils finished the season ranked 28th. 

Now let’s go back in time to just one year prior, in Coach Tim’s first season of 2011-12. ASU was in rebuilding phase and finished the season ranked 81st.

So is 53 spots a big improvement in year-to-year rankings?

Short answer…yes.

Of the teams listed in the top 70 this year, no team made such a drastic jump.

Mississippi State went from No. 73 to No. 27 (+46). Kansas wasn’t in the top 50, but went up 46 spots (No. 141 to No. 95) as did Davidson (No. 126 to No. 80). Fresno State did go up 76 spots, but was not a top-50 team (from No. 149 to No. 73).

So based on its strong finish as it reached NCAA Match Play, we have no problem saying the nation’s most improved team resided in Tempe.

And the best part of that improvement is that most of the team is back in 2013-14, including this guy…

In case you missed the news Steve Patterson broke earlier today regarding ASU’s games vs. Notre Dame in 2014 and 2017, visit thesundevils.com for everything you need to know.

Follow @TheSunDevils on twitter to join the conversation by using #NDvASU14.

Sun Devils junior right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams was selected by the Miami Marlins with the 44th overall pick in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Williams spent this past season serving as Mr. Friday Night, an honor bestowed upon the team’s top pitcher prior to each year. There have been four Friday Night pitchers since 2008 – Mike Leake held the post in 2008 and 2009, Seth Blair took over in 2010 and Brady Rodgers earned the nod in both 2011 and 2012.

All four: 

Earned All-America honors

Led the team in wins for a season

Named to All-Conference team

Started a postseason game

Leake, Rodgers and Williams all rank in the top five for lowest ERA in the aluminum bat era (min. 150 IP) and all three competed for the USA Collegiate National Team.

How they match up in the MLB Draft:

Leake - 8th overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2009 MLB Draft  

Blair – 46th overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2010 MLB Draft

Rodgers – 96th overall pick by the Houston Astros in the 2012 MLB Draft

Williams – 44th overall pick by the Miami Marlins in the 2013 MLB Draft

Below is a look at where Williams stacks up compared to his three Friday Night predecessors. 

THE SPORTING NEWS…Mike DeCourcy talks to Coach Sendek about Charlie Coles.

Back in 1994-95, 31-year old first-time head coach Herb Sendek was in his second year at Miami of Ohio. That Miami squad would go on to beat Arizona in the first round of the NCAA, rack up a 23-7 record including a 16-2 mark in the MAC. The staff had rising stars Sean Miller and Thad Matta. It also had the next coach of Miami of Ohio on that bench, as when Coach Sendek left for NC State after the 1995-96 season, Miami hired who would eventually be the school’s all-time leader in victories and the MAC’s all-leader in conference wins with 218. Charlie Coles was an outstanding basketball coach.

Today, the basketball coaching world lost a great one in Coach Coles, who was a Herb Sendek assistant (seated in photo) in 1994-95 and 1995-96 and one of the 10 former Herb assistants to end up leading Division I teams. Coles was the first to do so, and the fact he sustained the Miami success for so long speaks volumes of his abilities as a coach.

“I have so many fond memories of Charlie both as a friend and a coach, and many of them start with recruiting drives early in the morning with a cup of coffee on winding roads in southern Ohio,” says Coach Sendek. “Charlie made you laugh and made you think. He was comfortable and held court with one person or many. But I also want people to remember he was a great coach….a really, really, great coach. Much of what we try to instill today is what Charlie was teaching us two decades ago.

“We lost a great coach and a real great person to be around. He loved the game and poured his life into it. For that reason, all of us who were around Coach Coles are better coaches. “

Prior to the Saturday night matchup between the Sun Devils and Wildcats at Packard Stadium May 18, Sun Devil Athletics hosted Home ‘Fur’ Good, an Animal Rescue and Placement organization outside the ballpark.

We are happy to update Sun Devil Nation that two of the adult dogs - Brut (wire hair barky little guy) and Keegan (tan, solid built beagle/chi mix) were adopted last week.

Home ‘Fur’ Good will hold another adoption event at Diamondbacks game tonight. For more information on the organization, please visit http://www.homefurgood.org/.

Editor’s Note: ASU head women’s basketball head coach Charli Turner Thorne provides the latest updates on the Sun Devil women’s basketball program. In today’s installment, Charli gives her thoughts on the proposed rule change that would add the 10-second backcourt rule to the women’s game.

For those who are not aware, it looks like women’s college basketball is going to be implementing the 10-second backcourt rule this season, which I’m really excited about. I think maybe years ago I was a little bit reluctant about adding it, but progressing the game and change is good.

I was a player when we were debating the 3-point line and we were changing the ball from the men’s ball to the women’s ball and there was no consensus when it came to what everyone wanted. I think both changes were tremendous for the game. The 3-point line has been fantastic and the smaller ball fits our game better. And I think right now it is kind of the same thing with the 10-second rule. There are some who have been resistant saying, ‘No, we like the game the way it is.’ Honestly I don’t think any of us know how this rule will impact the game. There are some who feel like it may speed it up. I know one thing for sure and that is nobody in the stands will be yelling ’10 seconds!’ because they get the rules confused with the men’s game.

I’m all for adding this rule to our game. I think it will provide teams with more strategic options on the defensive end, which we love in terms of maybe getting additional turnovers by pressing and creating pressure on the offense to advance the ball.

What’s next? It would not surprise me if one day we were to see the eight-second backcourt rule and a 24-second shot clock that’s more in line with professional and FIBA rules so that everybody worldwide is playing the same game. We’ll have to see what the future brings.

Stay tuned!

CTT

Thanks to the folks at Grayhawk who have acknowledged that our top five finishes in men’s and women’s golf are a sign that………

When the 2013 soccer season commences in August, the Arizona State women’s soccer team will be featuring the Pac-12’s top returning duo in combined goals per game in the form of senior Devin Marshall and sophomore Cali Farquharson.

Last season, the play of Marshall and Farquharson proved to be a significant factor in helping the Sun Devils make their third NCAA Tournament appearance in four seasons. Together, Marshall (0.56 goals per game/second in the Pac-12) and Farquharson (0.50 goals per game/sixth in the Pac-12) combined to average more than a goal a game for the Sun Devils, whose 1.51 goals-per-game average was their highest average since the 2005 season when they averaged 1.66.

Arguably one of the most exciting players in the country to watch with her one-of-a-kind, go-after-it style, Marshall finished second on the team in both goals (nine – seventh in the Pac-12) and points (20 – t10th in the Pac-12) last season. However the most important statistic that illustrates Marshall’s effectiveness is goals per game where she had the Pac-12’s second-best mark (0.56) in 2012. Marshall, who was named second-team All-Pac-12 last season, did not play in five of ASU’s games last season and missed the majority of two others – including ASU’s NCAA Tournament game against Baylor – because of injury. Entering her senior season Marshall is 10^th on ASU’s all-time list in goals (16) and tied for 10^th in career points (39).

Devin Marshall

Farquharson was one of the top newcomers in the Pac-12 last season as she finished first on the team and tied for fifth in the Pac-12 in goals with 10 on her way to being named to the Pac-12’s All-Freshman Team. A Valley native (Shadow Mountain HS/Phoenix, Ariz), Farquharson also led the team and finished tied for fifth in the Pac-12 in points with 24. Her 10 goals tied for the seventh-highest single-season total by a Sun Devil while her 24 points were the 10th-highest single-season total in program history. Farquharson’s three goals against USC tied both the school record and the highest single-game total by a Pac-12 player in 2012. Her eight points (three goals, two assists) against the Women of Troy set a new single-game school record and were the most by any Pac-12 player in 2012. 

Cali Farquharson

During their spring season the Sun Devils offered a preview of what may be to come this season as they outscored the opposition 22-5 on their way to a perfect 9-0 record. With Farquharson forced to miss time because of injury, Marshall stepped up to lead the Sun Devils in goals. In their last six games of the spring season, Marshall accounted for seven goals.

With the start of the 2013 season a little more than two months away, Sun Devil fans need to start marking their calendars to come out to Sun Devil Soccer Stadium this fall and get behind the soccer team. If their spring success is any indication, the 2013 season will be one fans will not want to miss.

Editor’s Note: ASU head women’s basketball head coach Charli Turner Thorne provides the latest updates on the Sun Devil women’s basketball program.

One of the things that we love about the offseason is we have more time to get out in the community to reach out to all those who support us throughout the year. Of course, during the academic year we try and get out as much as we can. In addition to appearances at schools and youth clinics we put on, we always make sure to get out and serve at the annual Komen Race for the Cure and Pat’s Run.

Being active in the community is something our program takes a lot of pride in. The platform we have allows us many different ways to give back, which is something we are always looking to do any time the opportunity arises.

Our team has been very active in the community in the last two weeks. Arnecia Hawkins, Izzy Purkovic and Eliza Normen recently got the opportunity to spend time with patients and their families at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. That is always a special experience for our players because of all the smiles they are able to bring to the children’s faces.  

Last Monday was really exciting as we got to say hello to a lot of our fans at the Phoenix Mercury’s home opener. What a great atmosphere it was out there for our hometown team and for the game of women’s basketball! We’ll be at several Mercury games this year so be sure to watch for those announcements!

On Thursday, Arnecia and Izzy made it out to the Downtown Chandler Public Library to help kickoff their Summer Reading Program for kids. It was a wonderful event for all the children who were in attendance as they were able to learn the importance of reading in a fun environment.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter as we’ll keep you posted on all our upcoming appearances so you can come out and say hello!

CTT

As I head towards Pac-12 meetings in Utah this weekend, I have my eyes in Oklahoma City, Fullerton, and Atlanta. Way to go Coach Myers as his team hardly loses at home (40-3 this year at Farrington this year and 30-3 in Tempe in the postseason). Did you know the Pac-12 Player of the Year Amber Freeman is blogging for ESPNW? Here is her May 20 blog. This team gets it done in the classroom as well. I am excited to watch them on the ESPN family of networks this week and hopefully next! 



Baseball is off to Cal State Fullerton where they will take on New Mexico. We are proud to be one of just four Pac-12 teams selected to the NCAA Tournament after being picked for sixth in the Pac-12. Coach Esmay took the 2010 team to the College World Series and the 2011 team to the Austin Super Regional and is 9-4 all-time in the postseason. Each game at Fullerton Regional will be televised by ESPNU or ESPN3 and every ASU game will be broadcast by the MidFirst Bank Sun Devil IMG Network on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060. DId you know this fact about our team?

Let’s say congratulations to three Sun Devils in the NBA for different reasons. Lionel Hollins had an amazing season coaching up the Memphis Grizzlies (remember when we retired his jersey here?) and James Harden and his Beard earned third-team All-NBA. Let’s all say welcome from the Sun Devil nation to Naomi Pendergraph, the daughter of Jeff Pendergraph, who is making a living with the Indiana Pacers. Jeff led the nation in field goal percentage in 2008-09 and helped lead us to 25 wins and the NCAA Tournament. He also graduated with a degree in economics. That is the type of student-athlete you are supporting when you are a member of the Sun Devil Club. 

OTHER TIDBITS
Congratulations to the women’s golf team with its fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the best Sun Devil finish of the 2012-13 (so far!). Great news for alumna Jennifer Johnson who won the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic on Sunday for her first tour title. Want more? How about congratulations to Giulia Molinaro who won the Friends of Mission Charity Classic for her first Symetra Tour title at the Country Club of Asheville.

Next week our track teams head to the national championships in Eugene. Coach Fraft has been producing some amazing numbers in the super competitive Pac-12. Check out some of these numbers when you get a chance. ASU’s eight titles were the second-most won of any team in the conference this year. Senior Jordan Clarke has a shot at history and our student paper, the State Press, did a great feature on him that as a Sun Devil you will want to read.

TO DO

May 31
Sun Devil Baseball vs. New Mexico in NCAA Fullerton Regional

June 15

Football season ticket holder deadline to request tickets for the October 5th Notre Dame game in Dallas, TX. 

AROUND THESUNDEVILS.COM

Check out Jon Rahm’s scorecard from round one of the NCAA Championship on Tuesday. 

Editor’s Note: ASU head women’s basketball coach Charli Turner Thorne provides the latest updates on the Sun Devil women’s basketball program.

Well, we have completed the 2012-13 academic year and we had a great graduation week earlier this month. We are proud to announce that four members of our program earned their degrees: Janae Fulcher, Micaela Pickens, Joy Burke and Deja Mann.

Janae will be leaving ASU with two degrees after earning her master’s degree in Liberal Studies. I’m also very happy to report that Janae got a summer internship with Pac-12 Enterprises. She has an interest in pursuing a career in broadcast journalism, which makes this internship an excellent opportunity for her!

Micaela is a first-generation graduate and so we are all especially proud of her and all that she accomplished in only two years with our program. We’ll make sure to keep you updated on Micaela as she is going to continue with her basketball career.

Of course you’ll still be seeing both Joy and Deja in a Sun Devil uniform next season – only now they will officially be graduate students as both will be starting work toward their master’s degrees. Joy became the most recent member of our program to graduate from the Barrett Honors College after earning her marketing degree through the W.P. Carey School of Business.

I think it’s important to recognize the accomplishments of these outstanding young women because we always talk within our program that the No. 1 reason you come to college is to earn your degree. As much as we want to win championships on the court, we want to win them off the court, too. That’s what happens every time a member of our Sun Devil family earns their degree because we know they are leaving here with a great education and foundation that will make them strong and caring leaders!

Stay tuned for more updates!

CTT

So how does the 61 posted by Jon Rahm compare to other Sun Devils recently?

In the past 20 seasons, it is the second-lowest score by a Sun Devil. His 64 in the fall at the Pac-12 Preview is tied for the seventh-best round in that time.

Enjoy the trip down Sun Devil men’s golf memory lane below.

BEST SUN DEVIL MEN’S GOLF ROUNDS (1993-94 TO PRESENT)

60
Paul Casey, 1999 Pac-10 Championship

61
Jon Rahm, 2013 NCAA Championship

62
Jeff Quinney, 1999 ASU Thunderbird/SAVANE Invitational

63
Jesper Kennegard, 2010 Pac-10 Championship and 2008 UH Hilo Invitational
Steele DeWald, 2007 Ping Arizona Intercollegiate and Hawaii Hilo Intercollegiate
Kendall Critchfield, 2004 ASU Thunderbird Invitational

64
Jon Rahm, 2012 Pac-12 Preview (fall)
Jesper Kennegard, 2010 U.S. Intercollegiate
Spencer Fletcher, 2008 ASU Thunderbird Invitational
Stephan Gross, 2008 Hawaii Hilo Invitational
Pat Moore, 2002 ASU 2002 ASU Thunderbird/SAVANE Invitational